Treatment of ocular disease

Abstract

A formulation to treat ocular conditions such as dry eye disease, as well as other conditions, is disclosed. Rapamycin and / or ascomycin is administered intraocularly, such as by topical application, injection into the eye, or implantation in or on the eye. For example, a topical administration may contain between about 50 pg / ml drug to about 50 μg / ml drug in a formulation which may be applied at bedtime or throughout the day. For injection, a dose of about 50 pg / mi to about 200 μg / ml may be used. Rapamycin and / or ascomycin may also be administered in milligram quantities as a surgical implant, for example, in a diffusible walled reservoir sutured to the wall of the sclera, or may be contained within an inert carrier such as microspheres or liposomes to provide a slow-release drug delivery system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention is directed to the use of rapamycin and ascomycin for therapeutic treatment of ocular conditions, including dry eye disease. BACKGROUND [0002] Dry eye disease encompasses any condition where the tear film loses water and becomes more concentrated. It is a common complaint, affecting three million people in the United States alone, yet it is difficult to diagnose and treat. The loss of water from the tear film causes a corresponding rise in tear osmolarity. The increased osmolarity results in symptoms such as a sandy-gritty feeling in the eye, burning, irritation, or a foreign-body sensation that worsens during the day. Patients suffering from dry eye disease complain of mild to severe symptoms, with signs ranging from minimal superficial punctate keratitis to corneal perforation. [0003] Dry eye disease has a chronic remitting and relapsing nature and may result from a number of factors. The disease may be a natural part of the aging proces...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The method may prevent, decrease the time of onset, or lessen the severity of a wide variety of ocular conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, ocular irritation following corneal surgery (e.g., LASIK surgery), age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye disease, scleritis, papillitis, and uveitis, as examples. Rapamycin may be administered in combination with Cyclosporin A and / or tacrolimus for intraocular administration without toxicity-limiting effects. Rapamycin may also be administered in combination with antibiotics without toxicity-limiting effects.

Problems solved by technology

It is a common complaint, affecting three million people in the United States alone, yet it is difficult to diagnose and treat.

The loss of water from the tear film causes a corresponding rise in tear osmolarity.

The increased osmolarity results in symptoms such as a sandy-gritty feeling in the eye, burning, irritation, or a foreign-body sensation that worsens during the day.

Surgery has its attendant risks, and may not be a viable option in older patients.

In addition, tacrolimus is well tolerated locally and only occasionally causes mild irritation.